Pals Forever (Mufasa)

[Simba]

Simba did like adventures. He was a naughty lion cub and nothing could stop him when it came to looking for fun (or danger), as long as he had the opportunity… because that Banana Beak did everything to stop the cub. Fortunately, this time Zazu was not around, thus Simba could do what he wanted. Now he was busy with chasing a grasshopper. The cub used every knowledge of hunting he had been taught by his mother. 

One... two... three... Watch the wind ... Aaaand. JUMP. Simba covered the grasshopper with his forepaws, then opening carefully to see if the grasshopper was underneath. The hunt was successful, which made the cub very proud of himself. In the next moment he noticed his father was nearby, having his rest right now in the shadow of a tree. Perfect - Simba thought to himself. He had just improved his hunting skills, so it wouldn't be that hard to catch the next prey.



With naughty expression on his face, Simba started sneaking towards the big male with careful steps, tiny paws softly touching the ground. Whenever his father made a move, the cub stopped and observed (he couldn't help but grinned), waiting the proper moment to continue. Step by step, he slowly got closer, then......

"Gotcha!" Simba suddenly pounced on Mufasa. "Haha, I got ya, dad!" 

[The Spirits]

(Playing for Mufasa)

Mufasa had had a long day.

It wasn't easy being king, an old expression, but an honest and altogether true one. He'd been running errands all day the moment he'd gotten done with the "Morning Report". And honestly, he was just ready for a nap... A long, cozy nap and since Zazu was busy with other matters, he was inclined to believe he might.

Of course, his son, as per usual had other ideas.

Startled awake by a bundle of fur landing on his back, Mufasa jolted up. Thankfully he had gathered enough of his barring's, and simply lifted his head with a groan. "Well then, good morning little one," He murmured. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked playfully. "Or should I say the abrupt tackle?"

[Simba]

The little cub continued climbing his father's body, reaching his most favourite place: the top of Mufasa's head - because a great hunter like him deserved the best spot, didn't he?

"I am just improving my hunting skills, mom told me to do so. So I am gonna tell her I got you and anyway, I got a grosshopper as well. Actually I can say I've got two preys for one day." The cub answered with a proud giggle, then he lay down on his father's mane to make himself comfortable. "By the way, dad, haven't you forgotten something? You promised to show me our family's tree in the Lair of the Lion Guard. I wanna see that tree so much but uncle Scar never let me to enter..." Here the happy expression turned into some kind of disappointment, like everytime when he was about to miss any adventure. He didn't understand why this place was forbidden for him to see.

"I am gonna be the future king, so I need to know about everything." Simba added putting his paw onto his chest.

[The Spirits]

Mufasa smirked, peering up at his cub with a small chuckle.

Well, a grasshopper was only a very small prey. Maybe a little too easy. But the king would argue that it was a start if nothing else. "Well, I would say that most of the time a grasshopper is quite the easy target. But, still a very worthy adversary for someone so small," He joked as he stood to full height. "But indeed, the thought had slipped my mind. Though I again would caution against attempting to do so around your uncle."

After all, there was too much history there. A dark history he didn't want to reveal to someone so young.

Ah. A worthy point indeed he noted as he stretched. "Ah, but remember Simba, even a king does not know all," He instructed quite honestly. "In fact some of our family tree has been lost to time - something my father once passed the knowledge of along to me. And that's a secret even I do not know the answer to."

[Simba]

"But, dad," the cub jumped off Mufasa's head when the big lion started streching, then turned to face him. Simba was not pleased with the answer. "A king can do whatever he wants. You're the king, you go whenever you want and you don't need permission." The little cub argued, he had his own thoughts and opinions about how a king should act. Simba was so curious to see what was in the lair that he literally felt insulted he was not allowed to. Maybe this was the only (?) rule he had not broken yet.

"Why can't I enter the Lair?" Simba asked with some indignation.

[The Spirits]

Mufasa chuckled.

Of course he hadn’t said no. As he might remind his young son. But he also wanted to make sure he learned boundaries and the right to privacy too. Both of which were things that even Scar, despite his nastiness at times, deserved.

“Yes. But even a king must know when to show compassion and respect others,” he explained. Something which was a very important lesson. “I often find that the noblest of kings show their true nature when confronted with those chances.”

He then tilted his head thoughtfully before he added. “With that said, I do believe Scar is away for the afternoon. So we may enter while showing both,” he explained calmly. “Though we will have to be quick about it.”

[Simba]

"Yaaaaay!" The little cub's mood suddenly turned into happiness as he started leaping for joy. With excitement and full of energy, Simba ran forward leaving his father behind. Finally, he was lucky this time to see what was inside the cavern. Secret paintings? New species? Magic ponds that can predict the future? Or a whole hidden world? He was finally goint to see it all! And he just couldn't wait to boast to Nala about it.

They were not so far away from Pride Rock, it didn't take Simba long to reach the entrance. "You comin'?" The cub looked back over his shoulder, being impatient.

[The Spirits]

Mufasa only gave a small chuckle in response.

Following behind carefully, of course. But allowing the cub to exert the energy that well, only a cub could. After all, Mufasa was young but not quite young enough to bounce all the way there like Simba did when he arrived at the entrance. “Patience my son, let us be sure that Scar is not hiding,” he explained honestly. Stepping in front of him. “I will go in first. Wait here.”

Of course, Mufasa was equally quiet as he entered.

His eyes scanned the large cave for several minutes. Making absolutely sure that no one was there before calling back with a loud. “Alright then, you may enter.” He explained. “Now tell me Simba, what do you see?” He asked as he seated himself in the center.

[Simba]

It took only a few seconds for Mufasa to call him, although Simba felt like it had been minutes. But finally the voice called, and he could enter.

"Wooooow!" Simba was amazed. The cavern was so spacious that the cub felt like he just entered another world. "This is a really cooool place!" With excited and happy eyes, he looked around while heading towards his father. The atmosphere with those green plants and the little pound was so intimate that Simba literally envied Scar for having such a great 'playground'.

"I love it!" As he reached his father he noticed those several paintings on the wall. "Wow! Look, dad!" Came his excited voice as he ran to the wall to have a closer look. "What are these about?" He asked as he looked back over his shoulder, forgetting what Mufasa's question was.

[The Spirits]

Mufasa was greatly amused by his son’s excitement.

He walked with Simba inside, and let him explore but kept a close eye on the entrance for any sign of scar. He was only pulled from his thoughts by Simba’s question. Finally, he turned his head toward the cub and approached the paintings on the wall.

Approaching he looked upon what was, this time, their family tree.

Some of it had been lost in the years. But it all began with his great-great-great- great grandfather. And his two brothers. Their own branches ended only with them, but no one yet knew exactly why. “This is what we call our family tree,” he explained. “We don’t know our full history. It goes too far back. But we do know it began with these three brothers.” He nodded toward the three names at the very top. “I was born from the line of the eldest son of a great and beloved king. And while we do not know what became of his brothers we remember and respect them as well. It’s believed these three were the foundation on which our kingdom was built.”

He was silent as he looked along the three images, as he wondered, as he had since he was a cub - why one had a smaller mane than the other two. Perhaps it was an answer lost with the last elephant from that generation - but they would never know. “You too are on here. As one day your own children and mate will join it.” He explained.

[Simba]

"Woooow!" The cub was amazed, he loved listening old stories so much, especially those that were about his ancestors. So many interesting secrets that he loved to know about. And on the other hand, he could brag about it to Zazu, his uncle Scar and Nala - but that was just the other part of fun.

Simba examined the paintings carefully. It was the first time that he could see these paintings and he felt the desire to know more about this family tree. His curiosity needed to be feeded. "So these brothers were kings here in the Pride Lands? And you were born from the line of one of them?"

[The Spirits]

Mufasa could see the wonder in his eyes.

Of course, Simba was old enough to properly understand their stories. Or at least he hoped so, as legend spoke highly of two of them. ”Two were kings, while one remained a prince. Though we know not how. We don’t know much of the middle brother. Many a story of him is lost to time.” He pointed toward the one in the middle. ”But our ancestor, Jahi, was considered one of the greatest kings of all time. He was wise, just, and fair… And the Pridelands are said to have United under his leadership. Many of our pride strive to be as grand a leader as he was.”

Mufasa looked at Simba, then pointed at the one on the fight. The stranger one with the short hair. ”You have no doubt heard many a tale of the second king, Jabari. Many hailed him as a hero… He was a fierce warrior and trusted advisor to Jahi. And though he was adopted into our family, he was much beloved in the Pride for his wisdom, kindness, and skill,” he explained - unaware just how different he was. ”They say that in his time he slayed the original king of the hyenas. A feat which all but made him a legend.”

He knew that Simba would probably be amazed by this. He had been when he was a cub after all. ”It is a shame more of his bloodline doesn’t exist, nor do we know what became of him,” he explained. ”It’s said that he and Jahi were closer than brothers… And while Jahi was perhaps the greatest king of all time, there came a day where he would no longer speak of either of his brothers. Their stories instead were passed on by others old enough to have known them.”

He then turned to Simba. ”Some of our family members have adopted outsiders into the royal family over time in Jabari’s honor, however. A tradition I have not seen in my time, but perhaps may happen again, should the timing be right…” he explained thoughtfully. ”We have luckily found no one in need of family such as this in my time…”

He hummed and nudged him. ”But I pass this knowledge onto you little one. Family and love are not always of blood. You must open your heart to all creatures,” he explained. ”Remember that lesson.”

[Simba]

Simba was listening to the story he was told very carefully, with widened eyes, even his jaw was dropped that he didn't notice. The cub was definitely amazed. As he heard how mighty Jahi and Jabari had been, some kind of confidence filled his chest and made him believe that he would be as good as them. He had to be. But of course, his first role model was Mufasa.

When the big lion face nudged his body, Simba grabbed his father's head with his tiny forepaws; "I am gonna be as great as they were, dad, you can be sure, you will be proud of me." Simba reacted with a proud smile. "But I have more questions," the cub added in curious and excited tone, "Jabari was king somewhere else but later he was adopted and joined the Pridelanders? And what about the third brother, the prince? Where did he live? What is his story?"

[The Spirits]

Mufasa chuckled.

Perhaps he hadn’t been as clear as he should have been - but he had to clarify. After all, these weren’t just his stories, they were Simba’s to pass down as well. “No son, Jabari was with us since he had been a cub. The son of an ally lost to time,” Mufasa explained. “When he came of age, he went to rule his people. As he was heir to another throne. And it only made our worlds stronger ally’s.”

He cleared just throat. “You see, we must take care of those who are orphaned or abandoned. It is part of the circle of life that all creatures stand a chance at a proper life,” Mufasa explained. “The day may come when you find one of these creatures. Or perhaps I do. And as king, we may continue that belief passed down by our greatest ancestors.”

There was a pause as he said this. “I am not saying to adopt every stray creature you come upon, of course. But if you open your heart and family beyond what you know and expect,” he put a paw gently on Simba’s chest. “Even the deepest wounds can be healed. A Pride and a people are mightiest when they come together. As one.”

When he asked of the middle prince, Mufasa was more silent. That Prince even had his name and story lost to time. But he had grown up knowing it was a name and a story that Jahi feared. Something that was only spoken of in whispers during his time. Did he dare speak to Simba of this?

After a long moment, he made his decision. “Just as love can unite us, sometimes… Blood can betray us, Simba. Blood doesn’t always mean “close”,” Mufasa was trying to think of the best way to word this. “We do not know what he did… But there are whispers that the middle son betrayed his brothers… In ways that Jahi took to his grave.”

He was silent as he eyed the middle brother’s painting with pain in his eyes. “It’s for this reason we are all taught at a young age never to lose ourselves to ambition or greed,” He explained calmly. “Or thst is my understanding.”

[Simba]

Simba's eyes got fixed on the ground. The words and the lesson Mufasa was giving definitely made the little cub think. However, Simba was still young - too young and immature to see the deep things, he couldn't understand the true meanings yet. Nevertheless, the words he had just heard burned into his mind.

He had more questions. Simba was a clever cub, always listened carefully and always tried to think logically. "But, dad?" Came the thin voice as he looked up at his father with questioning eyes implying that he found some contradiction. "What about a hyena?" Do we have to adopt them too if they get abandoned?" Ever since Simba could remember hyenas were enemy. They always were unwelcomed guests and always were chased away from the Pride Lands. Now Mufasa said orphaned ones had to be taken care by the Pridelanders. Did this apply to hyneas too? The cub was very curious about the answer.